Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2026
Robotic Pancreatoduodenectomy for Pancreatic Head Cancer: a Case Report of a Standardized Technique
Published on: June 24, 2022
Development of pancreatoduodenectomy in North America
Thomas Schnelldorfer1, Kaye Reid-Lombardo, Michael G Sarr
1Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Purpose:
Pancreatoduodenectomy has been developed over more than 100 years, with contributions being made by many countries to the various aspects of the technique.
Methods:
This review outlines the contributions of America toward the technical conduct of the procedure.
Results:
There have been seven phases of the development and refinement of pancreatoduodenectomy from 1935 until now: Phase 1, development and feasibility (1935-1950); Phase 2, radicality of the procedure (1960-1975); Phase 3, total pancreatectomy (1960-1975); Phase 4, pylorus preservation (1975-1985); Phase 5, surgical experience trials (1980-2000); Phase 6, adjuvant treatments (1990 to now); and Phase 7, minimally invasive techniques (1995 to now).
Conclusions:
In conjunction with Japan, Germany, Italy, France, and many other countries, North America has contributed substantially to the development of the current, state-of-the-art performance of pancreatoduodenectomy and its evaluation.
